'Game of Thrones' turned up the heat on Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen's relationship and fans can't handle it

Between the nicknaming, hand-holding, and lots of sexy gazing, the latest "Game of Thrones" episode turned the heat way up on Jon Snow and Daenerys Targaryen's building affections.

While last week's episode ended with the two saying a rather unemotional goodbye, "Beyond the Wall" concluded with what could have been a marriage proposal between the two almost-lovers.

The dramatic build up to Jon and Daenerys first vulnerable moment

Daenerys and Jon may be aunt and nephew, though they don't know it yet, but the showrunners aren't shying away from letting the story's two biggest heroes fall in love.

Tyrion outright told Daenerys early in the episode that Jon Snow was in love with her, and while Daenerys dismissed the idea, she was clearly fighting back emotions of her own. Plus she didn't hesitate to fly north with her dragons as soon as he sent for help.

Jon was badly wounded in the battle beyond the Wall, and Daenerys was forced to leave him for dead when he was knocked into the frozen lake right as the Night King was getting ready to kill another one of her dragons.

Daenerys wanted to do the right thing, even at risk to her personal safety. HBO

But she lingered at Eastwatch, staring into the frozen wasteland and clearly hoping the King in the North would return. Her relief was palpable when the horse Benjen gave to Jon trotted out of the forest, and then later fans finally watched her sit vigil at Jon's bedside while he lay there half-naked and scarred.

Daenerys had questioned Jon before about why Davos claimed he had "taken a knife to the heart for his people." Jon, ever the humble gentleman, didn't tell her that he had literally died and been reborn. But now, with the partially-healed wounds visible, Daenerys finally saw Jon for the true hero he was.

Why the nickname Jon gave to Daenerys was so important

She sat by his bed, waiting for him to wake up. When he did, the first thing he said was how sorry he was for her loss of Viserion, and he reached out to hold her hand. Daenerys simply shook her head, fighting back tears. She vowed to help Jon defeat the Night King.

"Thank you Dany," Jon said.

"Dany? Who was the last person who called me that?" Daenerys asked. "I'm not sure, was it my brother? Hmm. Not the company you want to keep."

Viserys was definitely the last person to say "Dany" on the show. He screamed "Dany please!" right before Khal Drogo overturned a pot of molten gold onto his head, brutally killing him. It's likely not a coincidence that the last time Daenerys heard someone call her "Dany," it was another Targaryen. This is also noteworthy given that Viserion, the dragon named for Viserys, was killed in "Beyond the Wall."

Viserys screamed as Drogo overturned the pot of gold. HBO

In the books, the name Dany is used most frequently in the chapters written from Daenerys' point of view. It's effectively the name she's given herself, while everyone around her calls her Khaleesi, Your Grace, or Daenerys.

Daenerys looked shocked. After all his stubbornness about never bending the knee, Jon finally caved. Why? It was likely because Daenerys' rescue of Jon made him realize how lost their war is without her. She was his savior in that moment, and he saw her as a selfless ruler willing to risk her life for him and the people of Westeros.

"What about those who swore allegiance to you?" Daenerys asked.

"They'll come to see you for what you are," Jon replied.

"I hope I deserve it."

"You do," Jon assured her.

Daenerys tried to pull her hand hand away, but he held on and looked into her eyes.

The internet exploded.

But, as always, there is a large chunk of the fandom who hates the idea of a Jon and Daenerys love story.

Is there a marriage in Jon and Daenerys' future?

One thing that wasn't clear was whether or not Jon was trying to imply that he and Daenerys should marry. "My Queen" can be interpreted as him simply swearing fealty to her and renouncing his title of King in the North.

But Daenerys had already agreed to fight the Night King alongside him, so why would he risk alienating his people in exchange for something Daenerys had already agreed to give? He could have stayed King in the North with Daenerys as an ally, but he willingly bended the knee to her, risking the ire of the Northern lords who already are impatient with Jon's journey south to try to sway the Dragon Queen.

If it was a subtle marriage proposal, his choice echoes Robb Stark's decision to marry Talisa — a woman called a "foreign whore" by Northern lords. How will they react to Daenerys possibly being their new queen? Would Jon marrying Daenerys be at least better than bending the knee to her?

And we can see why Daenerys would be more than willing. Jon Snow has become a legendary figure in Westeros: the former Lord Commander of the Night's Watch who fought the Night King and returned south only to be murdered and reborn under the Lord of Light's power.

He was also the first man able to unite the Wildlings and Northmen, and rise again through the ranks of power. He is the White Wolf who helped defeat the Boltons and was named King in the North. And it doesn't hurt that he's prettier than both of Tormund's daughters.

Jon Snow bravely facing the charge of Bolton cavalry. HBO

Of course Daenerys is falling in love with Jon — who among us wouldn't be?

Plus, this episode left Daenerys with only two dragons: Drogon and Rhaegal, named for Khal Drogo and Prince Rhaegar. It would be fitting if we see Jon become a dragon rider on the beast named for his true father.

Jon Snow already showed that he can bond with a dragon. HBO

Jon and Daenerys have both been connected to the Prince That Was Promised prophecy, which tells of a hero reborn to save the world from the coming darkness. They will need to work together, and might possibly both help fulfill the prophecy, but will their shared bloodline interfere with true love?

Of course, there are plenty of people in the "Game of Thrones" fandom who are unhappy at the prospect of a Jon and Daenerys romance, mainly because the pair are aunt and nephew and a romance between the two biggest characters on the show feels too much like a fantasy trope. For more on the #Jonerys haters, you can read our rundown of the pros and cons of this budding love.